30/08/2026
๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐ง ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ
The 2026 edition of the BnM Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon was run off on its traditional date, the last Saturday in August, which this year fell on August 29th. And what a day it proved to be.
The club proudly welcomed more than 2,000 people through its gates over the course of the morning, creating a wonderful atmosphere that never wavered.
With almost 1,200 athletes crossing the finish line, the 2026 BnM Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon once again demonstrated just how far the event has come since its inaugural staging in 2013. That first race attracted 300 finishers, and the event has grown into a sell-out fixture, attracting athletes from clubs throughout Ireland and beyond. It has become a major community occasion, bringing thousands of athletes, families, supporters, volunteers and visitors to Tullamore.
The success of the event reflects the commitment of the Tullamore Harriers club members and organising committee, the generosity of sponsors, the support of the local community and, above all, the hundreds of volunteers who give their time to make the day possible.
Countless hours go into logistics, safety, traffic management and course preparation. This continues to strengthen Tullamore Harriersโ reputation both locally and nationally.
For Tullamore Harriers, the 2026 BnM Half Marathon was another memorable chapter in the club's long and proud history of staging major athletics events.
Title sponsor BnM was represented on the day by Sharon Doyle, Head of HR & Communications; Stephen Nolan, Community Liaison Specialist; Benedicta Durcan, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager and Brendan Connolly Head of Asset Management & Trading.
Tullamore Harriers is deeply indebted to BnM and to all its loyal sponsors, whose generosity and support make the race possible.
The club also gratefully acknowledged the presence and assistance of an An Garda Sรญochรกna Laois/Offaly Offaly Civil Defence , Offaly County Council and Offaly Volunteer Centre. Their support with safety, traffic management, emergency planning and stewarding was integral to the smooth running of the event.
From as early as 6am, the club was buzzing with activity. Volunteers were busy with course set-up, catering, registration, water stations, car parking and countless other jobs, while by 8.30am the club was alive with athletes, marshalls, supporters, media and sponsors.
The 17 walkers set off at 8.45am, leading the way for the main field, which got underway just over an hour later.
Just before 10am, Club Chairman Adrian Curley welcomed the assembled athletes at the start line on Charleville Road. As tradition dictates, Tullamore Harriers invited a special guest to officially start the race, and this year's honour went to one of the club's longest serving and most dedicated members, ๐๐ข๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ง๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฒ. Liam has given an extraordinary amount of his time to Tullamore Harriers over many years. He served as Club Secretary for 20 years, from 1987 to 2007, before taking on the role of Treasurer for a further 17 years, from 2008 until 2025. He continues to serve on the club's extremely busy Management Committee and remains a driving force behind the continued development of Tullamore Harriers.
Highly respected by all who know him, Liam is regarded as one of life's true gentlemen and welcoming him and his family to the start line was a fitting tribute to his lifelong dedication and service to the club.
From the gun, three athletes quickly established themselves at the head of the field, with Jaakko Jarvi of Finland, Jake O'Regan of St John's AC and Conor Duffy of Glaslough Harriers AC setting the early pace. A chasing group remained within close proximity in the opening stages, but it was O'Regan who soon moved to the front. The St John's AC athlete gradually extended his advantage and maintained his lead all the way to the finish.
O'Regan produced a superb performance to cross the line in 1:05:23, smashing the previous course record of 1:05:49, set by Ryan Creech of Leevale AC. Wayne Waldron of Donore Harriers AC moved into second place in 1:08:55, with Jarvi completing the men's podium in third in 1:09:35.
First for Tullamore Harriers was Kevin Minnock with a superb 4th place finish. Kevin also recorded a four-minute personal best on last yearsโ time, underlining his excellent progression. Clubmate Paul Mitchell was next home in fifth place, with Conor Duffy finishing sixth.
The women's race was won by Maebh Brannigan of Galway City Harriers taking an impressive victory in 1:16:05. Maebh recently claimed the National 10-Mile Championship title. Aislinn Hogan of Ballyskenach Athletic Club finished second in 1:19:07, while Niamh McEntegart of Mullingar Harriers Athletic Club took third in 1:23:08.
Mariesa Cleary was the fourth lady finisher in 1:24:12, with Anna Dooner of Roscommon Harriers AC close behind in fifth in 1:24:55. Sixth place went to Breda McDonald of BallyroanAbbeyleix&District A.C, who recorded 1:35:07.
The Quinlan Cup (Menโs team trophy for the first 4 club athletes) was presented to Tullamore Harriers, with Kevin Minnock, Paul Mitchell, Killian Nolan and Michael Brennan on the winning team.
Mullingar Harriers Athletic Club won the Phyllis Delaney Cup, which was presented by Phyllisโ son, James. The team was made up of Niamh McEntegart, Jacinta Reilly, Orlaith Flanagan, and Criona Reid.
Age group winners:
Men
1st O40 Dan Morris Mullingar Harriers AC
2nd O40 Mick Fogarty Ferbane AC
1st O50 Ruben Bartelink Dundrum South Dublin AC
2nd O50 Brian Gurrin Kilcoole AC
1st O60 Eddie Newman Mullingar AC
2nd O60 John Fitzmaurice Roscommon AC
1st O70 Donal Murphy Rathfarnham AC
2nd O70 James Sexton Kilmurry Ibrickane/ North Clare AC
Ladies
1st O40 Alex Wood LSA AC
2nd O40 Emma Boland Newbridge AC
1st O50 Caroline Donnellan Edenderry AC
2nd O50 Criona Reid Mullingar Harriers AC
1st O60 Irene Clements Clones AC
2nd O60 Mary Stuart Mullingar Harriers AC
1st O70 Angela Naughton
2nd O70 Eileen OโBrien Lucan AC
Congratulations to all our individual medalists, age-category winners and to everyone who participated.
Full results here: https://myrunresults.com/events/bnm_tullamore_harriers_half_2026/6138/results
